Fury over illegally lit fires

Members of the Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade’s Group are fuming over the number of illegally lit fires during the fire danger period.

Deputy Group Officer, Nathan Ractliffe said the group had attended more than a dozen fires since the FDP commenced on November 27.

“We are really disappointed,” he said.

“This isn’t the first year that we’ve had a zero tolerance approach to bushfire arson, and
it’s not the first fire season, yet people are still recklessly lighting fires and not even
considering the ramifications of it”.

Mr Ractliffe said the fires had occurred in Bacchus Marsh and the Rowsley Valley.

“People are obviously still cleaning up their backyards before Christmas and instead of going to the tip and disposing of their rubbish properly, they are setting it on fire, which is not only dangerous, but illegal.

“You cannot have an open fire in an urban environment without a permit, it’s that
simple”.

Residents are required to apply for a permit through Moorabool Shire Council.

“If you’re stuck and need to do a burn off, or you’re having a combustion fire barbecue, you need to seek permission first,” Mr Ractliffe said.

“Around half of those responsible for the illegally lit fires in the three weeks since the FDP commenced have been spoken to by police and will be charged in the near future”.

Anyone found guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing a bushfire can face penalties of
up to 15-years imprisonment.

Lighting a fire on a total fire ban day can also attract a fine of around $37,000 or up to two
years in jail.

The Moorabool News is committed to delivering a quality local newspaper to the doorsteps of the community, with an established reputation as the premier source of Moorabool news and the paper of choice for Moorabool residents, businesses and visitors.